(Deming) – Just shy of 250 Deming High School seniors will graduate Friday in commencement ceremonies at Memorial Football Stadium.This is the first graduating class in recent years to have been converted back to a 4.0 grading system without honors or Advanced Placement classes carrying a weighted 5.0 designation.And because of that, this year there are seven class valedictorians, all with cumulative grade point averages of 4.0.They are, alphabetically, Ezekiel Kwong, Luis Martinez, Sara Reyes, Erica Soto, Shelby Turner, Darian Zachek and Loni Zumwalt.And there are two class salutatorians, both with cumulative grade point averages of 3.97.They are Alexandra Diharce and Xena Orozco.

Ezekiel Kwong

Shelby Turner

Luis Martinez

Darian Zachek

Xena Orozco

Sara Reyes

Loni Zumwalt

Erica Soto

Alexandra Diharce

The student-selected commencement speaker this year is DHS government, economics and criminal justice teacher Liz Kriegel.This year's class flower is the Cherry Blossom, class colors are cardinal red and navy blue, and class song is Forever Young.The class motto, by Douglas Adams, is: “I may have not gone where I intended to go, but I know I will end up where I need to be.” Commencement begins at 7:30 p.m. with the traditional senior walk around the track.Seating is first-come, first-seated, with no reserved seating.Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.Parking is available around the campus, and Deming Police Department officers will be directing traffic.Handicapped parking will be off Nickel.No alcoholic beverages or weapons will be allowed into the football stadium.Also, prohibited will be musical instruments including air horns, along with coolers and ice chests, picnic baskets, umbrellas, beach balls, balloons and other inflatable items, backpacks, glass containers, cans and thermoses, and baby strollers.All guests are subject to search.The commencement ceremony will be followed by Class Act, Deming’s drug-free and alcohol-free after-graduation party, from 10 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday in the Hofacket Building of Deming High School.Admission to Class Act is free for graduates.Everyone must present identification at the door.

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